Palestinian, Israeli Security Chiefs Resume Contacts

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 20, 2001

Palestinian, Israeli Security Chiefs Resume Contacts

Israel and the Palestinian Authority resumed security contacts Wednesday, the first sign of a thaw after Israel's decision last week to cut ties with Yasser Arafat's administration.

Israel and the Palestinian Authority resumed security contacts Wednesday, the first sign of a thaw after Israel's decision last week to cut ties with Yasser Arafat's administration.

In another first, the Palestinian Authority announced that it detained 15 of its own security officers on suspicion of taking part in attacks against Israelis.

The developments hinted at an easing of tensions after a spike of bloodletting in a conflict that has been going on nearly 15 months.

The 15 arrested officers are activists in groups affiliated with Arafat's Fatah movement, Palestinian security officials said. The groups have continued to target Israelis, despite Arafat's order in a speech broadcast Sunday to stop such attacks, which the Palestinian leader called "terrorist activity."

According to Palestinian security officials, 180 suspected militants have been arrested since Arafat ordered a crackdown on Hamas and Islamic Jihad, militant groups responsible for dozens of attacks, including suicide bombings.

Also Wednesday, Palestinian security officials said they shut down two Gaza workshops where mortar bombs were made, and arrested three people.

The security commanders met in an undisclosed location. Before the meeting, Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said Israel would pull troops back from areas of the West Bank and Gaza Strip where the Palestinian Authority takes credible action against suspected militants.

Peres said Israel suggested the Palestinians begin with Jenin or Nablus in the northern West Bank, where Hamas and Islamic Jihad are strong.

Peres represents the moderate wing of Sharon's broad-based government. Some of Sharon's hawkish partners are calling for removal of Arafat and dismantling of the Palestinian Authority.

Palestinian Planning Minister Nabil Shaath said Arafat is making every effort to control the militants and now Israel must "stop its aggression against the Palestinian people."

At the security meeting, Israel planned to offer help in controlling Palestinian militants, the Defense Ministry said.

A Palestinian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said his side would demand an end to Israeli raids and assassination of suspected militants, along with removal of roadblocks and other restrictions.

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